Someone please spare a thought for poor Marin Cilic, because dude has made it into the Wimbledon semifinals and I don’t think ESPN has shown more than five minutes of any one of his matches thus far (ESPN2 has, but just barely). ESPN seems obsessed with covering Roger Federer and Andy Murray’s matches from start to finish, most of which have been slightly boring. Before Wednesday, Murray’s most exciting match was against crazy Italian Fabio Fognini, who probably could have beaten Murray if only Fognini could have kept it together mentally.

After Fognini, Murray grimly marched on, nursing a hip injury and a foul mouth, and made his way into the quarterfinals against tall American Sam Querrey. Querrey is sort of a goofy, unassuming guy and I swear to God, he was sheepishly smiling throughout half of his service games, like he was enjoying himself even when he was down. His positivity won out, and Querrey defeated Murray in five sets. Querrey is now the Wimbledon Kingslayer, having taken out the #1 seeds in back-to-back Wimbledons (Djokovic last year, Murray this year). Querrey also becomes the first American man into any Slam semifinal since 2009 (when Andy Roddick made his last deep Wimbledon run). Note my language: Querrey is the first American MAN in eight years. American women have been making deep Slam runs consistently in the past decade. Not just #GOAT Serena Williams, but Americans Venus Williams, Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys and Coco Vandeweghe have all made it to Slam SFs or finals in the past decade too.

In Andy Murray’s last presser after his QF loss, he was asked about Querrey being the “first US player since 2009,” etc. Andy Murray, feminist, corrected the journalist.

“Male player,” Sir Andy notes, because clearly the American-sounding journalist has to be reminded that A) women are people too and B) women play tennis and C) American women have been carrying American tennis for years. Murray is a self-identified feminist who consistently shows up for women, and women in tennis – go here, here and here if you’d like some history on some of his great feminist-ally comments in the past.

I’ve been thinking about giving out cookies, in the context of actually changing behaviour. There’s a lot of evidence positive reinforcement is the best way to produce change – from cats to sociopaths it seems. I do not like the idea, but if thats the out effective thing to do, maybe it’s cookie time?

On topic, love him. Andys not just an ally, he’s an advocate at is point.plus unlike some others, he’s not in it for attention. He can take the cake and however any cookies he wants.

So I’m just getting into tennis after last years Wimbledon, so I know little of Murray. I know some women find him attractive. Until this revelation about his feminism, I did not. But damn do I see it now!

Yes. When you first encounter him he just seems like your typical grouchtastic Scott (sorry Scotland but you guys are famously grouchy as hell) and then you see him apply his force for good and thats when you fall into the Murray soup.

I love his grouchiness. But he also has a very dry sense of humour, and is a consistent feminist without ever looking for points and credit for being a feminist. Plus, I love his mother too. His brother, on the other hand…

I wouldn’t say we are grouchy – direct and blunt is more like it We have a very dry sense of humour but he is over all the sexism in tennis and it shows when he makes comments like this.

Murray is actually a really nice guy and is popular in the sport – so is his brother. To think he might not have been as he was caught up in the Dunblane school shooting incident in 1996 where a man armed with a gun when into his school and murdered 16 children (ages 5 and 6) and their teacher.

I’m huge Andy fan. He used to be more active on twitter back then. He would watch women’s tennis. Not just big tournaments, but the small obscure ones that even regular tennis fans don’t normally watch.

Also, Sam is pretty much the only active american man player I like. All the rest are Trump supporters. Things aren’t much better on the women side either…

I don’t think he’s arrogant as such, I think it’s his manner, he’s very monotone and a bit dour so he doesn’t always come across well. His heart seems to be in the right place. Federer is much more charming and Andy tends to suffer a bit by comparison, but I might be biased, Roger is my fave.

I am married to a Scot, they don’t do fake sunshine. Andy is actually a pretty dry wit if you give him a chance – surly as f*ck on court, sure, but also self deprecating a LOT. Roger might be “charming” but his actual manners on court are often less than humble – he often leaves the court before his opponent if he loses, which is frowned upon, whereas Andy never does. Also Roger has his name emblazoned on all his kit which is obnoxious to me.

I am aware he wins that award…and yet it’s no secret that a lot of players don’t actually like him, his rep as a sore loser is well documented, if less reported on because of Roger’s status in the sport. There is no question he is a brilliant tennis player, one of the best ever, but he often comes off as arrogant, in terms of his treatment of other players.

@frisbee Fair enough, I get that you like him, it’s cool. To each their own, I personally prefer someone like Murray, who often gets a bad rap just because he’s not slick and shows his emotions on court. I find Roger less transparent, less knowable, in a sport like tennis you have to root for the person sometimes, sometimes you are forced to choose between two very good players of different merits. Andy’s outspoken feminism, honest talk about his tragic school shooting experience, and adorably dorky obsession with his dogs have endeared him to me.

Plus I live in Scotland so I always have to root for Andy! (it helps that I haven’t had a favourite male American tennis player in years ).

I used to not love Nadal or Djokovic either but I have come round to them, particularly Nadal. I can’t help but feel a bit for them as they age, especially as there is no one new who seems ready to be the next big player. But my favourite style of tennis player is an all rounder; the era of big serves/Sampras and Roddick, was the worst imo, and Roger definitely elevates the game to an art form.

@frisbee: one of my good friends used to be a “high end” concierge at Roland Garros till two years ago, and she said that there are only two really nice guys- not just camera rolling nice- and these two are Nadal and Murray.(she said that even stressed or frustrated both are really nice and they thank all staff members personally before leaving and even remember them season after season ). She specifically said that none of them cared about cameras and are actually way much nicer without them.

The worsts are : Djokovic and… Federer… none of them bothered a “pls” or “thanks” or even a “hello” apparently…but are extra nice when cameras are rolling…

@Truthful and @Ripley, you’ve both just confirmed my impression of Nadal, Murray, and Djokovic. I find Nadal very endearing, tbh, whereas Djokovic just seems like such an insufferable jerk that I can’t believe he has any fans at all. Murray can be frustrating to watch at times, but seems like such a straightforward, decent person — and a true feminist, not just paying lip-service for positive press.

@Truthful Thanks for the insider info! Not surprised, it just backs up what I already believed/sensed – the affection/respect between Andy and Rafa has always seemed real to me, makes sense if they are both the most down to earth guys in their sphere. I have a feeling Roger is less knowingly rude, maybe just…entitled. I mean I obv. don’t love him but I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt!

@Ripley…aw, I mean, is Rafa really dumb, or is some of it that his English isn’t perfect? I don’t think he’s a genius or anything but just saying!

He does this consistently. Without even blinking or thinking about it. He’s not carefully forming a feminist response. He legit just automatically props up the female players so eloquently and with the facts. Putting reporters who SHOULD know these things to shame.
I became a fan of his after the first time he did this. Andy Murray everyone

Soooooo obvious in the clip that it’s become as second nature to him to correct the misogyny as it is for the press pack to endlessly erase women players. Although I’ll admit it was more personally satisfying to me to see him put down the BBC’s most obnoxious sexist John Inverdale at the Olympics.

I think he had an epiphany when Mauresmo was coaching him and he was suddenly an intimate witness to the shiznit women in sport take, didn’t he?

I love Andy. He’s crabby and diffident and inconsistent, but has a brilliant dry sense of humour and a soft centre.

He really did. I believe Federer said something similar about realizing what females in the sport go through. It’s suddenly “aha” I get it. Sometimes that’s what it takes…it shouldn’t but here we are.
He’s so grouchy but he’s grown on me.
And @Becs he totally does not joke about this stuff. Every time he’s done a correction he’s absolutely serious

Yes! The crowd was pretty awful to him when he won US Open a while back, and now they’re ignoring him. Americans don’t seem to like him. And he’s a really lovely dude. I hope he makes it all the way this year ( if not him then anyone other than Federer).

I am sure you will. I was able to have only one child, a 24 year old progressive feminist LGBT rights activist daughter [who spends a great deal of time cringing at my bragging] I can’t do it any other way. My best to you.

Well, he’s the male player who was bold enough to hire a female coach,and faced a lot of skepticism for this move. He also defended her against criticism when results weren’t that bright.
I think Mauresmo was pregnant during some time of their collaboration and insinuations about her possible lack of efficiency were brutal.
So not surprised by his classy response here.

Querrey has made pro-Trump comments in the past (as have quite a few of the American players- Isner and Vandeweghe are two others). Not a fan at all, but he kept it together in that match.

I adore Andy. He’s the most vocal feminist on the men’s tour by far and he follows through on these sorts of comments as well- he actively supports equal pay and hired a female coach. He might be grumpy on a tennis court, but he’s a good egg.

Sometimes people blurt out sexist, racist things, then try to backtrack by saying, “I said it without thinking, that’s not how I really feel.” And I always think, yes, it is. When you say something without filtering it first, it does reflect how you really feel. Well, the same holds true when people say wonderful things without pausing to think—it reflects how they really feel. I’ll root for Murray in every match. Somebody raised him right.

I have always had a soft spot for him- yes, he’s grouchy, but what you see is what you get. And he really delivers on court. His comments on these topics have been consistent for years.
OT here a bit- haven’t really followed Wimbledon this year, but is his brother playing mixed doubles with Hingis??

One of the things I like most about Andy Murray, feminist, is that he didn’t have his epiphany when his daughter was born. He seems to understand that all women are people in their own right and not important because they are related to him.

The nerve of this journalist to completely ignore and erase the Williams’ sisters achievements in tennis while representing the US, is astounding. Serena Williams is the ULTIMATE tennis player, male and female.

I always cheer for Del Potro first and Federer second, but Murray has grown on me. I love his cranky humour and how expressive he is.

Yes, he’s the man 一 I’ve really been fond of Murray’s attitude around feminism & his friendship with Serena for ages. Plus he’s a bit of a grump but he’s at least he’s honest. It’s feels so wrong yet verrrry right to say that I’ve imagine he’d be awesome in bed.
Now, I look at him and think ooohhhh, yesss, beam me up, Scottie.

There was a phone-in on the radio this morning and this came up. A journalist (of all (professions!) came on and actually had the nerve to whine about how difficult it was for them to get it right all the time when faced with famous people! Considering how they delight in misrepresenting/taking out of context the people they interview I thought it was a bit hypocritical to keep it polite.

He was asked what he’d do if his wife went into labour and he was supposed to play in the Australian Open final, which with his first child was a possibility. So he said he’d get on a plane and be with her. They were astonished and asked again, and he just said that his child and his wife were more important to him than a tennis game and if she went into labour, he’d be on the first flight to reach her.

I love Andy Murray. I remember after he beat Berdych in a heated semi at the Aus Open a few years back he posted on Twitter “#morewomensport Goodnight” after the match. It was off the back of all the criticism Mauresmo was getting for apparently not being good enough to work with a top male athlete. I fist pumped so hard when I saw it, I already really liked him but it sealed his legend status for me!

I just also wanted to quickly say, although his Mum Judy deserves a lot of credit so does his father. Andy and his brother actually lived with their Dad growing up after their parents divorced. By all accounts he is an absolutely lovely man who avoids the limelight.